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BASF opens designfabrik® Tokyo
- First designfabrik® outside Germany
- Strengthens BASF’s capabilities in developing new and design-inspired solutions
- Focuses on customizing solutions for automotive industry
Tokyo, Japan – October 23 , 2014 – BASF today announced the launch of designfabrik® Tokyo , the first of its kind outside Germany. designfabrik® Tokyo strengthens BASF’s capabilities as a total solution provider that supports customers from various industries not only with innovative materials but already consults at a very early stage of product development.
Toshifumi Tanakai, Vice Director, designfabrik ® Tokyo , BASF Japan Ltd., said, “Connecting industrial designers, educational institutions and customers allows us to realize unique products and design visions with BASF’s materials. designfabrik ® Tokyo offers support in every phase of the design process, with expert advice for color, material and finishing, and assists designers in selecting materials as well as optimizing configuration of the products. ”
Kazushige Sehata, Vice President, Functional Materials & Solutions, BASF Japan Ltd., said, “The Japanese market is and has always been a source of cutting-edge design and innovation in various industries. With our new designfabrik® we are now in an even better position to translate the creative ideas of the designers into feasible material concepts.”
designfabrik ® Tokyo offers designers and engineers know-how in a wide range of BASF’s materials, e.g. high-performance plastics and polyurethanes, but also coloring solutions.
Automotive applications are a special focus of designfabrik® Tokyo. Here, experts support the development of new applications for different materials, in particular for vehicle interiors and exteriors, aiming to help improve the efficiency, comfort and safety of vehicles while opening completely new design possibilities at the same time.
The success story of designfabrik® began in 2007 at BASF’s Ludwigshafen headquarters in Germany. In Japan, BASF has a track record of working with stakeholders to make customers’ design-oriented projects even more successful with the right materials. In 2011, the BASF Design Award identified new ideas and product designs making use of BASF’s plastic materials. In 2012, a global car seat design competition – sit down. move. – inspired unique designs for future car seats, with an emphasis on aspects such as comfort, ergonomics, safety and weight. In this contest, Christian Delise from Toyota Boshoku Corporation in Japan was given a special award. In 2013, BASF intensified the contact with the next generation of designers by offering specialized lectures on BASF’s materials for students majoring in product design at the Product Design Department of, Tama Art University in Tokyo, Japan.
About BASF Japan
BASF started doing business in Japan in 1888. Activities cover f our business segments including chemicals, performance products , functional materials & solutions and agricultural solutions. The main production sites are in Chigasaki (admixtures for concrete, construction materials ) , Kitatone (personal care ingredients), Isohara (plastic additives), Totsuka (coatings) and Yokkaichi (thermoplastic polyurethanes and polymer dispersions) . BASF maintains a strong research and development presence in Japan including the Yokohama Innovation Center (engineering plastics) and the Research and Development Laboratory and Application Technology Center for Battery Materials in Amagasaki. In 201 3 , BASF employed 1,301 employees in Japan, and achieved sales of € 1.51 billion to customers in Japan. For further information please visit: www.japan.basf.com
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about €74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
